By Parker McKenzie
The operations of your local police station may seem like information only police officers are privy to, but Belgrave Police Station is changing that idea.
On Sunday 27 November, the station will open its doors to families and community members for an Open Day.
The free event will be held from 10am, featuring station tours from 11am to 2pm, a highway patrol car for children to look in, fingerprinting demonstrations and the police canine unit.
Senior Sergeant Michelle Davis said they wanted to remind people that Belgrave Police Station is an operation station after being closed to the public during large parts of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“It won’t just be coming through and looking at the station,” she said.
“We want the public to know we are here and everyone is welcome.”
The Open Day will also have representatives from other emergency services like the SES, CFA, Ambulance Victoria, Police Legacy and St John’s Ambulance’s CPRlab present.
Sgt. Davis said the Open Day was an opportunity for the station to give back to the community.
“We want people to come and meet us and get to know us, we are their police,” she said.
“Belgrave Footy Club will be cooking a BBQ for a gold coin donation, with proceeds being divvied up between the club, the Blue Ribbon Foundation and Police Legacy.”
The event has been sponsored by several local businesses, including Bills of Belgrave, The Basin Bakery, Woolworths Belgrave and Chandler and Co Real Estate.
Bills of Belgrave owner Bill Woolnough said he has donated 20kg of sausages for the sizzle.
“It’s a good community event to be involved in,” he said.
“It’ll be great to see the police dogs, I’ll be going up to have a look.”
Sgt. Davis said the station was grateful to Chandler and Co for donating the advertising boards for the Open Day and to all the other sponsors for their generosity.
Belgrave Police Station will publish the best parking instructions on social media ahead of the event.
